Conferees have been appointed to hammer out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state’s budget. They seem to be on
target to get something in place before the end of the fiscal year ? June
30.  In the meantime, committees
are considering other legislation in order to get it all done before
adjournment of the short session. 

 Interesting that during budget talk, there is no money, teachers
will
have to be fired, etc. etc.  But they
seem to be able to find the money for stuff they want.   

A few bills of interest:   

SB 1154: 
provides $544M for UNC capital projects. Legislative leaders complained they were going
to have to fire professors with recent budget cuts.  If the University system can find $544 M, why aren?t they
using it to reduce their budget rather than building new student centers, Greek
housing, sports complexes, new dorms and parking decks? 
Up for a vote in the Senate tomorrow

  HB 1951: 
increases tax credits for child care 24%.  Credits are already available and should be enough until the
economy turns around. Then we can decide if we want to pay more taxes for
child care credits. But even then, if there is a need to increase the tax
credits for childcare, why not take the $13M from Smart Start or More at Four?
The money would be better spent in parents? hands to make their own decisions
about the best childcare for their family.   Passed House Ways and Means Committee today, sent to Finance.

HB 1717:  Modernization
of ABC System.  Fourteen pages of
new rules and regulations to keep liquor stores honest.  Why not privatize the system?  Get government out of the liquor
business would eliminate headaches and save the expense of administrative costs. Instead
let the free market worry about executive salaries, non-profitable stores and
suppliers buying dinner for their customers.   Passed House ABC Committee yesterday, sent to State Government/Personnel Committee.

HB 1973: 
Corporate Welfare on Steroids. 
In addition to the $50 M in economic incentives included in the budget,
this bill creates additional targeted tax credits and extends others.  An additional $301.5M in 5 years!  Companies receiving special treatment
include the film industry, interactive digital media, data centers and major
industrial facilities, renewable fuel, interstate passenger air carriers and
professional motor sports racing teams get a break on fuel purchases,
Eco-industrial parks (?clean? industries only), and wood chippers. Passed House Commerce Committee (amid protests of not enough time to review), sent to House Finance Committee.

“No man’s life, liberty or  property is safe…while the legislature is in session.” attributed to Mark Twain